Exchanges Between Dún Laoghaire and Japan
2026/6/15
(From left) Mr. Frank Curran, CEO of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Mrs Mairead Gildea, Cllr Jim Gildea, former Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu, Mrs Andrea Curran, and Mrs MIYAGAWA Noriko (Photo taken in June 2026 at the official residence of Japanese Ambassador)
(From right) Cllr Jim Gildea, former Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Michael Clark, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu, Cllr Mary Fayne, Leas Cathaoirleach, and Mr Cormac Devlin TD (Photo taken at the Martello Tower in Sandycove in June 2026)
On 15 June, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu welcomed former Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Jim Gildea, and his wife, Mrs Mairead Gildea, to the official residence of the Ambassador of Japan. The Ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts made during Cllr Gildea’s term of office as Cathaoirleach in 2025–2026 to promote exchange between Dún Laoghaire and Japan. He particularly paid tribute to the commitment shown by Cllr Gildea and members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in contributing ideas and deepening dialogue to strengthen these ties (see the Embassy’s Facebook post dated 27 April).
The following day, 16 June, Cllr Gildea invited Ambassador MIYAGAWA to a Bloomsday breakfast gathering and a public reading of Ulysses, providing a valuable opportunity for the Ambassador to engage with local residents.
The Embassy of Japan in Ireland recalls the long-standing relationship between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and the City of Izumo (Shimane Prefecture), Japan, which began when the Republic of Ireland men’s football team stayed in Izumo for a pre-tournament training camp ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and the Republic of Korea. The Embassy also recognises the contribution of Japanese companies operating in the county in recent years. It will remain committed to providing every possible support to ensure that exchanges between Dún Laoghaire and Japan continue to deepen and flourish for many years to come.
The following day, 16 June, Cllr Gildea invited Ambassador MIYAGAWA to a Bloomsday breakfast gathering and a public reading of Ulysses, providing a valuable opportunity for the Ambassador to engage with local residents.
The Embassy of Japan in Ireland recalls the long-standing relationship between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and the City of Izumo (Shimane Prefecture), Japan, which began when the Republic of Ireland men’s football team stayed in Izumo for a pre-tournament training camp ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and the Republic of Korea. The Embassy also recognises the contribution of Japanese companies operating in the county in recent years. It will remain committed to providing every possible support to ensure that exchanges between Dún Laoghaire and Japan continue to deepen and flourish for many years to come.
Recitation of a passage from “Ulysses” by James Joyce (Photo taken at the Martello Tower in Sandycove in June 2026)
A view from Martello Tower (photo taken in June 2026)
Recitation of a passage from Ulysses by James Joyce (photo taken in June 2026)